Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing glass powder and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing glass powder, whereby the glass of the glass powder comprises the following components: 20-80 wt. % SiO 2 , 0-40 wt. % Na 2 O, 0-40 wt. % K 2 O, 0-40 wt. % Li 2 O, 0-40 wt. % Ca O , 0-40 wt. % MgO, 0-40 wt. % Al 2 O 3 , 0-1 wt. % P 2 O 5 , 0-40 wt. % B 2 O 3  and 0-10 wt. % ZnO.

[0001] The invention relates to an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing glass powder.

[0002] Anti-inflammatory wound-healing glass powders are known from the following publications:

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,008

[0004] WO 0015167

[0005] WO 0066086

[0006] The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glasses or glass powders made from such glasses comprise as per the state of the art all bioactive glasses.

[0007] In the case of the bioactive glasses known from the aforementioned publications with anti-inflammatory effect the bioactive glass exhibits a significant phosphorus content >1 wt. %.

[0008] The essential properties of bioactive glass are known to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,916. According to said document, bioactive glass differs from conventional calcium-sodium-silicate glasses in that it binds living tissue.

[0009] Bioactive glass denotes a glass that forms a fixed bond with body tissue, whereby a hydroxylapatite layer is formed.

[0010] The drawback to bioactive glasses is the high phosphorus content, which results in production problems during the smelting of the glasses.

[0011] In addition, because of their low hydrolytic resistance bioactive glasses are only suitable to a very restricted degree for grinding in aqueous media.

[0012] Thus it is the object of the invention to make available an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder which, as opposed to bioactive glasses or glass powders composed of such glasses, is easier to produce, toxicologically safe and is not harmful to the environment.

[0013] By glass powder a powder comprising a multitude of glass particles of random shape is understood, including glass fibers as well, for example a glass bead with particle size of <1 mm preferably <500 μm or a glass fiber with a diameter of <1 mm preferably <μ500 m.

[0014] In addition the glass powders should comprise glass ingredients which exhibit a skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect on skin irritations, acute as well as chronic wounds or inflammations, are however toxicologically safe in contact with human beings and in particular are also suitable for consumption.

[0015] In accordance with the invention the task is solved by means of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder as per one of claims 1, 4 or 7. Preferably the glass of the glass powder can comprise 20-80 wt. % SiO₂, 0-40 wt. % Na₂O, 0-40 wt. % K₂O, 0-40 wt. % Li₂O, 0-40 wt. % CaO, 0-40 wt. % MgO, 0-40 wt. % Al₂O₃, 0-1 wt. % P₂O₅, 0-40 wt. % B₂O₃. Preferably the glass can also contain 0-30 wt. % XF_(y), whereby X can be Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca and y=1 or y=2. Preferably the amount Na₂O+K₂O+Li₂O 5 to 50 wt. %. Alternatively the amount+CaO+MgO can be 5 to 50 wt. %.

[0016] The glass powder of the invention can be produced on a commercial scale with standard methods, since the glass composition can be smelted on a commercial scale.

[0017] The glass powder of the invention can be added to products. On the basis of their hydrolytic resistance the glass ingredients can also be ground into glass powders in aqueous grinding media

[0018] In addition to the anti-inflammatory effect, the glass powders also exhibit antimicrobial properties.

[0019] The glasses which are ground into glass powders can be produced quite purely. The glass powders are then toxicologically safe as well as suitable for consumption. For example, the maximum concentration in the field of cosmetic products preferably for Pb amounts to <20 ppm, for Cd is <5 ppm, As<5 ppm, Sb<10 ppm, Hg<1 ppm, Ni<10 ppm.

[0020] As a result of the additional antimicrobial effect a conservation of products themselves can be achieved or an antimicrobial effect toward the outside can be attained. Fields of application for this are for example cosmetic products, deodorant products, foods, paints, lacquers, plasters, paper hygiene products, medicinal products and cleansers.

[0021] For certain fields of application added amounts of heavy metals such as Ag, Cu, Zn are advantageous for achieving a synergistically strengthened antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.

[0022] Skin irritations play a significant role in the field of cosmetics. For this reason it is advantageous if the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder is particularly eudermic.

[0023] One particular advantage of the invention's glass powder is the fact that it comprises a glass that due to the fusion and heat forming behavior is suitable for being produced in corresponding commercial plants.

[0024] Since the process temperatures or the viscosity of the glass is low, cost-beneficial materials can be employed in fusion and heat forming.

[0025] Along with production by means of a smelting procedure, alternative production methods via the sol-gel or reaction sintering route are also conceivable.

[0026] Surprisingly, the glass powders of the invention comprising the specified glass composition have an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect that can be extremely strong. The lower the mean particle size of the glass powder, the higher the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect due to the increase of the reactive surface of the glass.

[0027] Surprisingly, this anti-inflammatory and wound-healing property is also found in glasses comprising glass powders which as semi-finished products possess a relatively high hydrolytic resistance. With low particle size and with a large surface, however a drastic reactivity increase shows, as a result of which through the following described ion exchange an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect occurs.

[0028] In the case of the glass powders of the invention, alkalis of the glass are exchanged by H⁺ ions of the aqueous medium by means of reactions on the surface of the glass. The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect is based, among other things, on a release of ions as well as on surface effects of the particles such as for example the surface charge as well as the antimicrobial effect of the glass powders on germs.

[0029] Glass powders with ion-exchangeable glasses in accordance with the invention have an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect in aqueous media by means of ionic exchange between a metallic ion, such as for example an alkaline or alkaline earth metallic ion and the H⁺ ions of the aqueous solution as well as by means of ion-caused impairment of the cell growth (osmotic pressure, influence of metabolic processes of the cells). The ground glass powders with particles of slighter particle size and greater surface show a drastic increase in reactivity, as a result of which, by means of the previously described ionic exchange, a strong anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect occurs. The reason for this is the exchange of ions which can have an anti-inflammatory effect, for example of potassium. The anti-inflammatory effect of the glass powders is surprising for the person skilled in the art, since the glass compositions in an unground state are largely inert. By means of the grinding up of such a largely inert composition one can achieve a release of ions in the ground up glass powder such as for example K, which have an anti-inflammatory effect on the epidermis. Such anti-inflammatory properties have always been attributed in the state of the art to powders made of reactive glasses with a phosphorus content greater than 1 wt. %, since the formation of hydroxylapatite layers has always been considered to be necessary for the bioactive and anti-inflammatory effect.

[0030] With the help of grinding processes the glass ingredients can be ground into glass powder with particle sizes <100 μm. Particle sizes <50 μm or 20 μm have proved to be expedient. Particle sizes <10 μm as well as less than 5 μm are especially suitable. Particle sizes <2 μm have turned out to be ideal.

[0031] The grinding process can be performed both dry as well as with aqueous and non-aqueous grinding media.

[0032] Mixtures of different glass powders from the composition range with variable ingredients and particle sizes are possible, in order to combine specific effects.

[0033] pH values ranging from one to 13 are attained, depending on the particle size, concentration and the composition of the powder.

[0034] Mixtures of glass powders with variable ingredients and particle sizes can be synergistically combined for the setting of special properties of the individual glass powders. For example it is possible to control the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect of the glass powder by means of the particle size.

[0035] The glass of the glass powder contains SiO₂ as a network-forming ion, preferably between 35 to 80 wt. %. With lower concentrations the hydrolytic resistance is greatly diminished, so that the grinding in aqueous media is no longer guaranteed without significant dissolution of the glass.

[0036] Na₂O is employed as a fluxing agent in the melting of the glass. At concentrations of less than 5% the melting behavior is negatively influenced. What is more, the necessary mechanism of the ionic exchange is no longer sufficient to achieve an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect. In the case of Na₂O concentrations greater than 30 wt. % a deterioration of the chemical resistance or hydrolytic resistance is to be observed, particularly in combination with a decrease of the SiO₂ content.

[0037] Alkaline and alkaline earth oxides can be added in order to increase the ionic exchange and thus amplify the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.

[0038] The quantity of Al₂O₃ can be added up to a maximum of 8 wt. % to increase the chemical resistance of the crystallization stability as well as for controlling the antimicrobial effect

[0039] B₂O₃ acts as a network-forming ion and can also be used to for controlling the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.

[0040] AnO is an essential component for the hot forming properties of the glass. It improves the crystallization stability and increases the surface tension. Moreover it can support the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect. At slight SiO₂ contents it increases the crystallization stability. To achieve an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect up to 8 wt. % ZnO can be included. A preferred implementation contains <4 wt. % ZnO or <2 wt. %. Implementations with <1 wt. % or 0.5 wt. % or <0.1 wt. % are especially preferred.

[0041] AgO, CuO can be added as active additives to amplify the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect of the base glass.

[0042] The glass of the invention does not cause any skin-irritating effects.

[0043] By means of a combination of the pH effect and the Ag, Cu or Zn decrease, a considerable increase of the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect as well as the additional antimicrobial effect can be achieved, which significantly exceeds the sum of the individual effects. In the process the concentration of Ag, Cu, Zn ions released in the product can lie significantly below 1 ppm.

[0044] The introduction of Ag, Cu, Zn can occur during the melting through corresponding salts or by means of ionic exchange of the glass after the melting.

[0045] To achieve color effects single or even multiple coloring components such as for example Fe2O3, CoO, CuO, V2O5, Cr2O5 can be added to the glass in a total concentration less than 4 wt. %, preferably less than 1 wt. %.

[0046] Glass powders with glasses lying within the claimed composition range fulfill all requirements with regard to usage in the areas of paper hygiene, cosmetics, paints, lacquers, plasters, medicinal products, cosmetic applications, as well as use in deodorant products, antiperspirants as well as in products for the treatment of skin irritations, acute and chronic wounds.

[0047] One property of the glass powder is the surprisingly proven skin tolerance, which is also given in the case of high concentrations with high pH values.

[0048] The glass powder can be used in any suitable form. Mixtures of different glass powders from the composition range with different ingredients are also possible. Mixture with different glass powders is also possible, in order to combine specific effects.

[0049] Components such as fluorine can, depending on the application area, be added to the glass up to concentrations of 5 wt. % in total.

[0050] The glass described in this invention from which glass powder of the invention is obtained by grinding is either not water-soluble, or is very difficult to dissolve in water. The glass powder acts primarily by means of ionic exchange or ion loss, which is combined with a surface reaction, pH increase and metallic ion release.

[0051] Surprisingly the glass powders in accordance with the invention show a higher anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect than the group of bioactive glasses which were described in the state of the art or glass powders that were produced from such glasses.

[0052] In the following the invention will be described using the embodiments and figures.

[0053] The figure shows the following:

[0054]FIG. 1 shows the regeneration of the barrier function of the epidermis after preliminary lesion.

EMBODIMENTS

[0055] Out of raw materials the glass was melted in a quartz glass crucible, and then processed into ribbons. The ribbons were further processed by means of dry grinding into powder with a particle size d50=4 μm.

[0056] Table 2 specifies the compositions and properties of glasses that can be ground into the glass powders of the invention. The compositions refer to synthetic values in wt. % on an oxide basis. TABLE 1 V.1 V.2 V.3 SiO₂ 45.0 58.2 35.0 Al₂O₃ CaO 24.5 32.6 29.5 MgO Fe₂O₃ Na₂O 24.5 29.5 K₂O P₂O₅ 6.0 9.2 6.0

[0057] TABLE 2 Embodi- Embodi- Embodi- Embodi- Embodi- Embodi- Embodi- ment 1 ment 2 ment 3 ment 4 ment 5 ment 6 ment 7 SiO₂ 71.2 45.0 72.0 60.0 48.0 45.0 45.0 B₂O₃ 10.0 Al₂O₃ 0.35 P₂O₅ 1.0 CaO 9.9 24.5 9.6 20.0 20.0 27.5 25.0 MgO 4.2 4.0 10.0 Fe₂O₃ 0.1 Li₂O 2.0 Na₂O 14.2 30.5 14.4 20.0 10.0 27.5 15.0 K₂O 0.05 10.0 5.0

[0058] Table 1 shows comparison examples of bioactive glasses V1, V2, and V3.

[0059] Table 2 shows embodiments A1 through A7.

[0060] Particularly easy to produce and commercially available, because they can be melted in commercial plants, are glasses that comprise the following components, whereby the specifications are in wt. % on an oxide basis:

[0061] SiO₂: 68-75 wt. %, Na₂O: 10-20 wt. %, Al₂O₃: 0-3 wt. %, CaO: 5-15 wt. %, MgO: 0-10 wt. %. Such glasses exhibit an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect after grinding. This is surprising for the person skilled in the art, since glasses with a phosphorus content less than 1 wt. % with reference to oxide basis, for example soda-lime glasses are largely non-reactive as glass. Only phosphorus-containing glasses with a phosphorus content >1 wt. % had an anti-inflammatory effect attributed to them, since these glasses are considered to be very reactive.

[0062] All glasses, in particular the suitable glasses in the above specified composition can exhibit trace elements and/or conventional refining agents in conventional quantities. Trace elements are for example impurities contained in glass such as Fe₂O₃ or K₂O; conventional refining agents As₂O₃, Sb₂O₃.

[0063] Studies on mice show an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect that is superior to that of bioactive glasses. Trials were performed with one mouse each at three measuring points. The active substances examined as glass powder A.1, V.1, V.2, and V.3 were applied to a quantity of 10 wt. % in a DAC base cream. For comparison with the DAC cream provided with an active substance, a DAC base cream without active substance was also applied.

[0064]FIG. 1 shows the time course of the repair of a surface wound, i.e. the regeneration of the barrier function of the epidermis, measured through the transepidermal water loss. The surface wound was obtained by means of a preliminary lesion with tape stripping. By tape stripping, the lesion of the top skin layers by means of the applying and removing of tape strips is understood.

[0065] In FIG. 1 it can be recognized that the regeneration of the barrier function of the skin after 24 hours with a glass powder with the invention's glass composition is approximately 10% better than with the bioactive glass powder V.1. The bioactive glass powders V.2 and V.3 as well as the DAC cream without an active substance as reference samples show an even significantly lower regeneration of the barrier function. The comparative experiments show clearly the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing effect of the invention's glass powders with the specified glass composition, which is superior to that of the bioactive glass powders. Furthermore, the glass powders in accordance with the invention also exhibit an antimicrobial effect. This is specified as per Europ. Pharmakopoe (3^(rd) Edition) for the embodiment A1 with a particle size of 4 μm in Table 3. TABLE 3 E. coli P. eruginosa S. aureus C. albicans A. niger Start 290000 270000 250000 300000 250000  2 days 900 1800 800 <100 2000  7 days <100 200 <100 0 2000 14 days 0 0 0 0 0 21 days 0 0 0 0 0 28 days 0 0 0 0 0

[0066] The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing acting glass powders can be applied as food additive, in cosmetic products and deodorant products, in particular for reduction of skin irritations, but not restricted to said reduction of skin irritations, in medicinal products, in particular products for wound care and treatment, plastics and polymers, paper hygiene, in paints, lacquers as well as in cleansers. 

1. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder, whereby the glass of the glass powder comprises the following components in wt. % on an oxide basis: 20-80 wt. % SiO₂ 0-40 wt. % Na₂O 0-40 wt. % K₂O 0-40 wt. % Li₂O 0-40 wt. % CaO 0-40 wt. % MgO 0-40 wt. % Al₂O₃ 0 wt. % P₂O₅ 0-40 wt. % B₂O₃ 0-10 wt. % ZnO and if necessary trace elements and/or conventional refining agents in conventional quantities, whereby the total Na₂O+K₂O+Li₂O+CaO+MgO amounts to 15 to 80 wt. %, and the glass of the glass powder is free from Ag and the average size of the glass particles of the glass powder is <100 μm, preferably <50 μm, and in particular, preferably 20 μm.
 2. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder, according to claim 1, whereby the total Na₂O+K₂O+Li₂O amounts to 5 to 50 wt. %.
 3. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder, according to claim 1, whereby the totaL CaO+MgO amounts to 5 to 50 wt. %.
 4. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder, whereby the glass of the glass powder comprises the following components in wt. % on an oxide basis: 68-75 wt. % SiO₂ 10-20 wt. % Na₂O 5-15 wt. % CaO 0-10 wt. % MgO 0-3 wt. % Al₂O₃ 0 wt. % P₂O₅ and if necessary trace elements and/or conventional refining agents in conventional quantities, and the average size of the glass particles of the glass powder is <100 μm, preferably <50 μm, and in particular, preferably 20 μm.
 5. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1, whereby the glass of the glass powder further comprises 0-30 wt. % XF_(y), whereby X can be Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca and y=1 or y=2.
 6. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1, whereby the glass of the glass powder further comprises 0-10 wt. % XJ_(y), whereby X can be Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca and y=1 or y=2.
 7. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder, whereby the glass of the glass powder comprises the following components: 20-80 wt. % SiO₂ 0-30 wt. % Na₂O 0-30 wt. % K₂O 0-30 wt. % CaO 0-30 wt. % MgO 0-30 wt. % Al₂O₃ 0-1 wt. % P₂O₅ 0-40 wt. % B₂O₃. and if necessary trace elements and/or conventional refining agents in conventional quantities, and the glass of the glass powder is free from Ag and the average size of the glass particles of the glass powder is <100 μm, preferably <50 μm, and in particular, preferably 20 μm.
 8. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the glass of the glass powder additionally comprises heavy metallic ions, selected from the class of the following elements: Cu, Zn.
 9. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 4 characterized by the fact that the glass of the glass powder additionally comprises Ag.
 10. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the glass of the glass powder is free of heavy metals, in particular containing no Cu, Zn.
 11. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 4 characterized by the fact that the glass of the glass powder is free of Ag.
 12. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the average size of the particle of the glass powder is <10 μm.
 13. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the average size of the glass particle is <5 μm.
 14. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the average size of the glass particle of the glass powder is <1 μm.
 15. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in cosmetic products.
 16. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in deodorant products.
 17. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in medicinal products and preparations.
 18. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in plastics and polymers.
 19. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in the field of paper hygiene.
 20. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in foodstuffs.
 21. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in cleansers.
 22. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in antiperspirants.
 23. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in paints and lacquers.
 24. Use of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 in products for the treatment of skin irritations, acute and chronic wounds.
 25. Method for production of an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing glass powder according to claim 1 comprising the following steps: 25.1 glass is smelted from raw materials 25.2 the smelted glass is processed into ribbons 25.3 the ribbons are ground into glass powder, whereby the average size of the glass particles of the glass powder is <100 μm, preferably <50 μm, and in particular, preferably 20 μm. 